Learn About Our Studio and Highly Trained Teachers

Celebrating Dance Since 1986

Ruth Fisher introduced dance for preschoolers to the recreation departments of Santa Cruz County more than thirty years ago, changing dance studios in the area forever. Since then she has taught thousands of young children the joy of dance. She also pioneered the first dance program in Santa Cruz for people with special needs and challenges, called the Rising Stars. When she opened The Dancenter of Santa Cruz County, her goal was to include everyone in the community who would like to dance. All abilities, ages, shapes and sizes are welcome.

Dance is for everybody!

Dancenter is a non-competitive studio with an emphasis on pre-professional and college dance. We are very proud that we have dancers in professional companies as well as college dance major programs. Like other Santa Cruz dance studios, our dancers come to Dancenter and enjoy dance as a recreational or artistic pursuit. We are happy to nurture each dancer’s artistic expression.

Highly Trained Teachers

Our teachers are trained professionals that have worked in different dance studios, many with degrees in dance, theatre, and physical education. We are proud that we have Dancenter graduates in many college and high school dance programs around the country, such as Julliard, La Guardia High School for the Performing Arts, the Alvin Ailey School, Boston Conservatory, Manhattan Marymount, U.C. Irvine, U.C.L.A., California State University at Long Beach, San Francisco, Mills College and Cornish School of the Arts.

If you can talk you can sing, if you can walk, you can dance.

If you are looking for dance classes at a studio where everybody fits in, join the fun at Dancenter. Dancenter is the oldest continuously owned dance studio in Santa Cruz County. We are centrally located; serving the cities of Santa Cruz, Aptos, Capitola, Watsonville, Soquel and surrounding areas.

Our dedicated and fabulous instructors take pride in offering a complete dance education for the community. Since 1986 our goal has been to provide a safe and supportive atmosphere, where everyone is invited to join in, develop their skills, and be energized and inspired.

Dancers can begin classes at three years of age with pre-dance. Starting at age seven, dancers can choose graded classes in ballet, jazz, tap, and hip hop. Teens and adults can also pursue classes in all levels from beginner to advanced in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, Latin dance, belly dance and yoga.

A Santa Cruz dance studio that teaches more than just dance

At Dancenter, we believe dance classes are a springboard for learning important life skills. Children and teens learn values such as cooperation, self-discipline, dependability, respect for others, punctuality, and the reward of working hard for far-reaching goals. Adults appreciate our atmosphere of encouragement and acceptance.

Our studios have state-of-the art sprung floors covered with Marley where applicable. Our dancers’ safety and well-being is our primary focus. So come join the fun! Call us at (831) 475-5032, or drop by to meet us at 810 Bay Ave. in Capitola.